Blog

  • Yobe Assembly conducts public sitting on market bill

    NAN-H-38
    Bill
    Damaturu, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Yobe House of assembly on Friday conducted a public sitting to receive inputs from stakeholders for the passage of its market bill.

    Dr Garba Kurmi, deputy speaker of the assembly, said the bill was aimed at enhancing free trade, price regulation and breaking monopoly over sales of goods.

    “The bill, when passed into law, will regulate the conduct of market activities and traders for the good of people of the state and the country,” Kurmi said.

    Hon. Ishaku Audu, Chairman House Committee on Commerce, Industry and Tourism, said the bill was given accelerated hearing due to the crucial position it played in repositioning the economy of the state.

    He said the bill was timely in view of efforts to rehabilitate the economy of the state which suffered set backs from the protracted security challenges.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the proposed bill stipulates a N50,000 fine or 12-month jail term or both for offenders.

    NAN also reports that traders, civil society organisations, associations and the media made contributions to enhance passage of the bill. (NAN)
    MM/AMY/AMY

    Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

     
     

  • Alleged shipping fraud: Court to hear application to hands-off case Jan. 26, 2017

    NAN-H-27
    Fraud
    Sandrah Umeh
    Lagos, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court in Lagos, on Friday, fixed Jan. 26, 2017, to hear an application to `recuse’ himself from a N2.4 billion suit against Innosson Nig. Ltd.

    Innosson Nig. Ltd, Innocent Chukwuma , Charles Chukwuma Maximian Chukwuma, Mitsui Osk Lines `C’ and Anajekwu Sunny are facing trial before the court on charges bordering on falsification of shipping document.

    At the resumed hearing of the case, the prosecutor, Mr J.I Ajakaiye, sought to withdraw a counter affidavit and written address he had filed, on the ground that he had fresh applications.

    This prayer was not opposed by the defence team.

    However, Mr Nnabueze Mbadugha, one of the Counsels, reminded the court that there was a pending application for the judge to disqualify himself from the matter.

    He argued that “once there is such application, no further action is required to be taken by the judge, who is only expected to step aside.’’

    According to him, once the neutrality of a court has been questioned, it offends the sensibilities of fairness and justice for the court to continue to entertain further proceedings.

    Quoting the Latin maxim, “Nemo judex in causa sua, Mbadugha submitted that it was a serious error for the judge to seek to entertain applications in respect of the same case.

    According to him, the said Latin maxim simply postulates that one cannot be a judge in his own case.

    He, therefore, urged the court to recuse itself from taking further steps in the case.

    In a short ruling, Saidu held that the defence counsel had not moved any application before him urging him to disqualify himself from the case.

    The judge said that he would not “chicken out’’ of the suit simply because a party says so, but would rather wait for an application to be moved in that respect.

    He held, “It is the duty of the court to rule on an application after it has been heard and not to chicken out because a party does not want it to preside over it.

    “Judges are not to submit to intimidation of parties; I am yet to hear any such application before me and so, I will not recuse myself now, until I hear the application,” the Judge said.

    The court then fixed Jan. 26 for hearing.

    In the charge, the accused were alleged to have conspired to commit the offence on Oct. 10, 2013 at Apapa Wharf.

    The prosecution alleged that the accused falsified shipping documents, which they deposited with Guaranty Trust Bank Plc as collateral for the sum of N2.4 billion.

    The loan facility was granted Innosson Nig. Ltd but the shipping documents were discovered to have been falsely presented as genuine with intent to defraud in order to clear the N2.4 billion goods.

    According to the charge, the offence contravened the provisions of sections 1(2) (c), and 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation 2004. (NAN)
    UNS/AOS/AJA
    ============

    Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Adeleye Ajayi

     

  • Ondo 2016: NSCDC urges stakeholders on peaceful election

    NAN-DS-1
    Poll
    Akure, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN)Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps( NSCDC) has urged stakeholders involved in the Ondo State governorship election to allow peace to reign for the betterment of the state.

    The Deputy Commandant of Operation, Mr Hilary Kelechi Madu, made the call when speaking to newsmen on Friday in Akure on the preparation for the Saturday election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 28 political parties will be participating in the poll.

    “We do not care about any political party but most importantly, we should do the right thing and allow peace to reign during and after the election.

    “People should eschew violence and not take laws into their hands by killing themselves for somebody to become a leader.

    “We will work with other security agencies to ensure smooth and peaceful election,” he said.

    “NSCDC is ready for the election, we have been interacting with other security agencies to have free, fair and credible election,’’ he said.

    Madu said that about 25 special bred sniper dogs and Improvised Electronic Devices (IEDs) would be deployed for narcotics detection during the election.

    He said that 10 commandants from neighbouring states and headquarters would be monitoring the three senatorial districts of the state.

    “We told you few days ago that 15,000 personnel will be on ground for smooth conduct of the election.

    “Also, 50 officers from headquarters are on ground to complement our personnel,” he said.

    The deputy commandant said that the purpose of deploying  men was not to militarise the polling units but to check excesses before and during the polls.

    Madu reiterated the corps’ commitment toward the election, saying that three to four of its personnel would man each of the 3,009 polling units across the state. (NAN)
    OMA/GY
    =======

    Edited by Grace Yussuf

  • Trader, 35, docked for allegedly raping neighbour ‘s daughter

    NAN-H-26
    Rape

    By Boboye Moronke.

    Lagos, Nov.25, 2016 (NAN) For allegedly raping a teenager, a trader, Akeem Omole, was on Friday brought  before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    The accused who resides at 35, Olaleye St., Oko-Oba, Agege, a suburb of Lagos, is facing one count charge of rape.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Simeon Inuoha, told the court that the offence was committed at the residence of the accused.

    Inuoha said that the accused called the victim, a 16-year-old girl, into his room under the pretence of sending her on an errand.

    “The accused shut the door at her and raped her,’’ he said.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B. O Osunsanmi, granted the accused N300, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

    Osunsanmi adjourned the case to Jan. 31, 2017 for mention. (NAN)

    MTO/DEB/TA

    Edited by Debo Oshundun/Tajudeen Atitebi

     

  • NIFST urges FG to create policies to drive self-reliance on food production

    NAN-H-37

    Policy

    Lagos, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) on Friday urged the Federal Government to create a policy that would drive innovation and self-reliance in food production.

     

    The is contained in a statement signed by Mr Muhammad Funtua, the National Publicity Secretary of NIFST, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

     

    According to Funtua, the policy will ensure food security in the country.

     

    “Government should increase and sustain its effort to create enabling environment and well-articulated focused policy direction to drive innovation and self-reliance in food production.

     

    “This will be in conjunction with major food value chain stakeholders such as NIFST.

     

    “Food safety policy should be given top priority in Nigeria as practiced in all developed nations of the world.

     

    “If the National Food Safety Policy is built on a solid foundation, the outbreak of food borne diseases will be effectively controlled and properly managed in Nigeria.

     

    “This will lead to the promotion of Nigerian food products in the global market,’’ he said.

     

    Funtua noted that the current fight against corruption, especially, in the agricultural and food sector should be sustained in order to enhance innovations and ensure food security in Nigeria.

     

    He said that there should be clear performance measurement standards to appraise government policy outcomes, especially in the agricultural and food sector.

     

    Funtua called for high level foundry and technological input to ensure sustainable upgrading of Nigeria’s local food products in the global market.

     

    He urged government to encourage all 36 states of the federation to engage in a modern, robust agricultural system to ensure sustainable increased productivity in food production for the teaming population of Nigeria.

     

    The national publicity secretary also called for institutional reforms that would streamline the roles of different agencies involved in food safety and quality policies.

     

    “This will ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of foods by relevant agencies of the government,” he said.

     

    He called on government as a matter of urgency to facilitate the passing into law the Charter Bill for the establishment of the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology.

     

    “This will ensure the establishment of sustainable and manageable policies towards sustainable food safety and quality management system along the food supply chain in Nigeria.

     

    “It will also give room for a sustainable innovation and upgrades for food value chain so that competitiveness can be guaranteed in Nigeria (NAN).

    CAN/GOM/EEE

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    Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Ese E. Ekama

  • Hoops and Read trounce Batons; close in on DStv League promotion

    NAN-S-4
    Basketball
    By BabatundeOgunrinde
    Lagos Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) Olumide Oyedeji, Coordinator, Hoops and Read Basketball Club of Lagos on Friday expressed satisfaction with his team’s dominance of the ongoing National Division One Basketball competition in Abuja.

    The team defeated Police Batons of Lagos 81-70 to extend their unbeaten run to four matches in the championship that dunked off on Nov. 21, with 16 teams vying for honours.

    Hoops and Read had earlier defeated Raptors Academy 60-55 in opening game, decked Police Bombers 78-58, and whitewashed Comets of Lagos 73-56 before defeating Batons.

    Hoops and Read took charge of the game from the jump ball running with a 22-9 lead in the first quarter.

    Inspired by team Captain, David Edward’s 17 points, Hoops and Read had five players finish with double digits as they ran into the half-time break 43-27.

    The team ended the third quarter with a comfortable score line of 67-45 before running away with the victory in the fourth quarter.

    An elated Oyedeji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Abuja that the result was a testament of good preparation of hardworking players.

    “We deserve all the results we have so far and we shall continue to push harder to get the ticket for promotion into the DStv Men’s League,’’ Oyedeji said.

    Meanwhile, Police Batons, who got relegated from the DStv Premier League in 2014, also tasted their first defeat out of four games in the campaign in the hands of Hoops and Read.

    Their promotion to the elite division is now doubtful as any other loss could compound their chances.

    The victory over Police Baton makes the youthful Hoops and Read remain poised to take the solitary automatic ticket.

    In other results of the day, Comets couldn’t fly as high as they should and lost to the NAF Rockets 54-56.

    Nigerian Army was 70-66 victorious over Yobe Desert Warriors, while Anambra Flames proved too hot for the Police Bombers as they won 40-34.

    Ondo Raiders, however, decked Osun Lions 43-36.

    The knockout stage of the competition will begin on Saturday. (NAN)
    BAO/ENN/PDE
    ============
    (Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

  • FG warns MDAs against rejecting corps members

    FG warns MDAs against rejecting corps members
    NAN-H-25
    Posting
    By Yashim Katurak
    Abuja, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) not to reject corps members posted to them by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
    A statement signed by Mrs Bose Aderibigbe, the NYSC Director of Press, said Mr Babachir Lawal, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), gave the directive in a circular sent to MDAs.
    Aderibigbe said the circular, with reference number SGF.15/T/745, criticised the growing incidence of rejection of corps members posted to government establishments.
    The circular reads in part: “To put an end to this undesirable development, it has become necessary to reiterate that the directive that MDAs should not reject youth corps members posted to them for their primary assignment is still in force.
    “Engr. Lawal said government’s directive was imperative in order to maintain the objective of the NYSC scheme which includes involvement of Nigerian graduates of specific age category in national development and integration,’’ Aderibigbe said.
    She said that government establishments were also directed to ensure that corps members were actively engaged during their primary assignment.
    Aderibigbe said that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, through the NYSC, was expected to monitor the level of compliance of MDAs and give periodic reports to the government. (NAN)
    KRY/FF/WOJ

    ========

    (Edited by Fela Fashoro / Wale Ojetimi)

  • Plateau to host next National Council on Information meeting – Commissioner

    NAN-H-8
    Host
    Jos, Nov.25th 2016(NAN) Plateau will host the next meeting of the National Council on Information slated for March 2017, the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Mohammed Nasif, has said.

    The commissioner made the disclosure in Jos on Friday when the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Dan Manjan paid him a courtesy visit.

    He said that the council was the highest policy making body on information in the country.

    Nasif said that the ministry had introduced various programmes, including a monthly ministerial briefing, to sensitise the populace especially at the grassroots on programmes and policies of government.

    He added that the ministry would soon commence sensitization campaigns in all the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, to present the state government’s development blueprint over the next two years.

    Earlier, Majan said the visit was to build team spirit and “strengthen the synergy that exists between information arms of the state government.” (NAN)
    UBO/MZA

    Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

  • FMDQ launches Debt Capital Market Development Project

    NAN-HE-2
    FMDQ
    By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
    Lagos, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange (FMDQ), has officially launched the Debt Capital Market Development (DCMD) Project to ensure effective implementation of the recommendations drawn from the Debt Capital Market (DCM) workshop.

    The company said this in a statement issued in Lagos and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

    The statement said that the project was officially launched during the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Third Quarter Capital Market Committee (CMC) meeting on Nov. 24.

    It said that the apex capital market regulator set the DCMD project to ensure the effective implementation of the recommendations drawn from the widely attended Debt Capital Market (DCM) workshop.

    The statement said the workshop was held on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28, 2015.

    “The DCM workshop themed `the Nigerian Debt Capital Markets – Toward a Brighter Future’, was organised by FMDQ, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) with the support of SEC.

    “The sole aim of the workshop is to harness the capacity and potential of the domestic DCM and facilitate the exchange of ideas for enhancing and deepening the Nigerian financial market,’’ it said.

    The statement said that the workshop, which was attended by domestic and international financial market experts and regulators, considered various challenges limiting the growth of the Nigerian DCM.

    It said that the resolutions of the workshop had been translated into the Nigerian DCM Transformation Roadmap to be executed through the DCMD Project.

    The statement said that the DCMD project “seeks to fast-track the realisation of the DCM initiatives in the SEC’s 10-Year Nigerian Capital Market Master Plan (NCMMP)’’.

    It said that the vision of the DCMD project was also aligned with the Financial System Strategy (FSS) 2020 initiative aimed at making Nigeria one of the top 20 economies in the world by 2020.

    It said that at the end of the DCMD project, “it is expected that the Nigerian DCM would surpass its peers in Africa in terms of diversity of products including plain vanilla products and derivatives, liquidity, credibility and transparency.

    “The project will also position Nigeria as the ultimate investment destination in Africa,’’ the statement said.

    It said that FMDQ’s commitment to the transformation of the Nigerian financial markets was driven through its Global Competitiveness, Operational Excellence, Liquidity and Diversity (GOLD) agenda. (NAN)
    JNC/ENN/AJA
    ===========
    (Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Adeleye Ajayi)

     

  • Experts recommend Kegel exercise, good nutrition to tighten loose vagina

    NAN-HG-4
    Vagina
    By Tinuade Adeshiyan
    Lagos, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Health and Fitness Pal Exercise Outfit and a nutritionist on Friday advised women to adopt natural vaginal tightening exercise and nutritional intervention instead of using chemical tightening cream.

    Mrs Adeola Moses, the outfit coordinator, and a nutritionist, Mrs Aro Desmond of Brain Foods and Guts Psychology Centre, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia, Pelvic floor exercise, also known as Kegel exercise consists of repeatedly contracting and relaxing the muscles that form part of the pelvic floor.

    “The exercise needs to be performed multiple times each day, for several minutes at a time, for one to three months, to begin to have an effect.

    “Exercises are usually done to reduce urinary stress incontinence (especially after childbirth) and reduce premature ejaculatory occurrences in men, as well as to increase the size and intensity of erections.’’

    Moses said that vagina looseness was a problem that affects millions of women, which she said, could be better solved by employing natural tightening.

    She said vaginal canal exercises such as Kegel workout, vaginal props and squatting, could tighten vagina naturally, adding that the most simple and popular “is Kegel workout’’.

    The outfit coordinator said that Kegel workout was “like squeezing your pelvic while peeing’’.

    “Many people tend to overlook the effectiveness of both, and just lean toward the easier route, which is getting a surgical procedure instead.

    “Surgery can work as well, but it won’t be as permanent and as satisfying as going through the more natural route.

    “Kegel does not only work on the private part areas, but beneficial to all other parts of the body,’’ she said.

    Moses described Kegel as “an effective practice to make vagina tighter’’, and it could be done anywhere without anyone noticing while doing it.

    “These exercises target the Kegel muscles which support your pelvic floor and form the base of the vagina; and by performing it, you would also be strengthening other muscles on pelvic floor.

    “Kegel also helps to prevent conditions such as incontinence which results when the muscles that support the urethra weaken.

    “In order to perform a Kegel, slowly tighten your vaginal muscles as hard as you possibly can, then release.

    “Hold your muscles for a couple of seconds, and then relax, start slowly and try to build your Kegel regime gradually.

    “So, you don’t harm yourself and so you can slowly build-up the elasticity in due course.’’

    According to her, you can start by doing about 10 per day, and then you can get used to doing it between 50 or 100 times.

    “Ensure that you are performing them appropriately, so you can start the tightening procedure.

    “As soon as you have actually found out ways to do this, just repeat this exercise many times throughout the day.

    “You can do this consistently, and at your recreation, no one needs to recognise that you are working to tighten up a vast vaginal area, because it is the simplest among other means.

    “However, don’t stop urinating mid-stream as your regular Kegel exercise routine and this will make it tighter normally.

    “Doing Kegel while urinating can actually have the opposite effect by weakening the muscle,” she advised.

    Also, Desmond said that the most effective method of tightening vagina was through the nutritional intervention.

    Desmond said a healthy diet would strengthen the pelvic floor, adding “when you feed your pelvic muscle correctly on a daily basis, it will ensure its proper repair’’.

    “Consume foods that are high in natural estrogens which are found in fenugreek, sesame seeds, pomegranates, soybeans, yarns, carrots, wheat berries and apples.

    “Also, ensure that you consume lots of whole grain, organic carbs as well as organic lean animal protein.

    “A well-planned diet will go a long way toward keeping your inner muscles strong and healthy,’’ she said. (NAN)
    TAL/FF/GOK
    =======
    Edited by Fela Fashoro/Olagoke Olatoye